Elverum explained this change in an 2003 interview with Discorder, asserting that "Mount Eerie is a new project. The Microphones was completed, or at least at a good stopping point. I did it because I am ready for new things. I am new."
As Mount Eerie, Phil typically works with synthesizers, guitars, drums, and the accenting voices of Mirah, The Blow, and fellow K-Records/Anacortes, Washington friends. Mount Eerie's album "Seven New Songs of Mount Eerie" was also the first recording released on Phil's new label, P.W.Elverum & Sun. All songs from that recording are available for free download in the Internet Archive.
Stop Singing
Mount Eerie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My hands in the void
I would notice that I can't hold on to things
And
The possibility that if I stopped using my voice
I would notice songs that, all around me, sing
Looms in weather
Lives buried in my days
The darkness surrounding a flame
It's what I don't say with my mouth
It's my mouth open
To breathe in
It's open windows
Still, I go on and on describing the shape
Around the thing I want to but can not name
In song
And, though my long life feels busy
And full of usefulness and drive
I will sleep through every single dawn
And those I see I will not understand though I try
I will sing through every single song
About the spaces left when we stop singing
And I will sing this
With longing
The song "Stop Singing" by Mount Eerie is a deeply introspective ballad that focuses on the idea of letting go and noticing the songs that surround us that we may otherwise miss. The opening lyrics, "The possibility that if I stopped clapping my hands in the void / I would notice that I can't hold on to things," set the tone for the rest of the song as the singer begins to question everything he does and wonders if his constant activity is causing him to miss out on the true beauty of life. He then goes on to say that if he stopped using his voice, he would start to hear the songs that are all around him that he may have never noticed before.
Throughout the song, the singer describes the world around him as a dark and foreboding place, one that is filled with hidden beauty that can only be seen when we stop and take a closer look. He talks about how all of his songs and rhythms are like the darkness that surrounds a flame, and about how he struggles to find the words to describe the things that he feels but can't quite put into words.
In the end, the singer talks about how busy and full of drive his life is, but how ultimately he will still not be able to understand the things he sees or the songs he hears. He will sing through every single song about the spaces left when we stop singing, and he will sing with longing, forever trying to capture the beauty of the world around him.
Overall, "Stop Singing" is a powerful meditation on the nature of existence and the importance of taking the time to stop and appreciate the beauty of the world around us. It encourages listeners to slow down and take notice of the songs that are all around us, and to appreciate the small moments of beauty that can often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
The possibility that if I stopped clapping
There is a possibility that if I stopped clapping, I would realize that I cannot hold onto things in life forever.
My hands in the void
Clapping hands without anything to hold onto or gain from in life.
I would notice that I can't hold on to things
Stopping to use my hands would make me realize that everything in life is temporary and cannot be held onto forever.
And
Continuation of the same thought process.
The possibility that if I stopped using my voice
It is possible that if I stopped using my voice, I would hear the songs that surround me, unnoticed.
I would notice songs that, all around me, sing
If I stop creating noise, I will be able to hear the sounds of life beyond my own creation.
Looms in weather
This feeling is always present, just like how the weather is always there even when we do not take notice of it.
Lives buried in my days
The feeling of missing something important is always there, just buried away and unnoticed in the daily routines of life.
With all my songs and rhythms going like
Despite being caught up in the rhythm of life, the feeling of something missing is always there.
The darkness surrounding a flame
The feeling of emptiness is always present, like darkness surrounding a small flame.
It's what I don't say with my mouth
The feeling of emptiness is not something that can be expressed through words.
It's my mouth open
Being open and honest about my feelings is the only way to bring these feelings to light.
To breathe in
Breathing in and accepting the feelings of emptiness is the only way to move past it.
It's open windows
Keeping an open mind and embracing the unknown is necessary to find fulfillment.
Still, I go on and on describing the shape
Continuing to sing and create music about the empty spaces in life is an ongoing process.
Around the thing I want to but can not name
Although I do not know what it is that I am searching for, I continue to sing about it in hopes of finding it.
In song
Singing is the only way that I can express the unexplainable feeling of emptiness.
And, though my long life feels busy
Even though my life is busy, I still feel as though something is missing.
And full of usefulness and drive
Although I have purpose and motivation in life, I still feel unsatisfied.
I will sleep through every single dawn
Despite the search for fulfillment, I will still continue to sleep through every dawn without finding it.
And those I see I will not understand though I try
Even though I try to find meaning and understanding in life, it remains elusive.
I will sing through every single song
Despite the lack of fulfillment, I will continue to sing and create music about it.
About the spaces left when we stop singing
I will continue to sing about the emptiness that is felt when music and singing stop.
And I will sing this
Continuation of the theme of continued singing and creating music.
With longing
A sense of unfulfilled longing and desire for something more.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Phillip Whitman Elvrum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind